It may be tempting to take a lawsuit to court without hiring a personal injury lawyer. However, there are numerous situations where it would be beneficial to have one arguing your case. Sometimes just the threat of an attorney’s presence is enough to convince an insurance company to settle on your terms, especially if they initially refuse to settle in good faith. There may be complex legal regulations dictating how your particular claim could turn out, or the severity of your injuries may lend credence to an unusual method or amount of compensation.
Here are a few of the more common situations when it is worth considering hiring a personal injury lawyer rather than arguing the case for yourself.
Severe Injuries
The amount of financial compensation awarded for an accident is largely determined by the severity of the injuries suffered by the plaintiff. Factors determining that severity include the kinds of injuries, cost of medical bills, and how long it takes to recover. The range of possible compensation widens as the potential actual monetary amount increases. These types of cases regularly benefit from the expense of hiring a lawyer to handle the claim, as it is the best way to ensure the compensation awarded is at the higher end of that range.
Permanent or Long-term Disabling Injuries
Sometimes an accident can lead to injuries that would greatly impact a person’s appearance or physical mobility for a lengthy period of time – or maybe even permanently. The courts consider such injuries especially serious, and figuring out the appropriate compensation is tricky. To make sure you get the most out of your claim, it is a good idea to have an attorney’s assistance.
Toxic Exposure
In today’s world, people are exposed to various chemicals on an almost daily basis, and many of them are dangerous. People become sick from toxins found in the soil, water, air, various products, and even in the food we eat. However, these types of cases can be very difficult to prove, as they frequently require validation through complicated scientific data. On top of that, the industries that use these chemicals have gone to a lot of trouble to guard themselves against legal liability while continuing to expose people to numerous harsh and possibly harmful toxins. This can make it extremely tough to find the required evidence, so it is best to have expert help.
Medical Malpractice
When a person is injured or becomes ill because of incompetent, unprofessional, or careless treatment from a nurse, doctor, hospital, or any other medical services provider or professional, many factors of the case become very complex. Legal rules often differ from other personal injury lawsuits, and there are many complicated medical questions that have to be answered. So it is almost definite that help will be needed from an experienced medical malpractice attorney.
Insurance Company Refusing Payment
There are times when the government or an insurance company simply refuses to pay a fair settlement – or any settlement at all. Regardless of the financial loss or severity of the injury, they will use every law and policy to their advantage to weasel their way out of having to pay a claim. They may even try to bully the claimant into thinking there is nothing they can do to receive the compensation to which they are entitled. Having a personal injury attorney on your side is often enough to deter these behaviors and convince the company to consider fair terms.
If you find yourself in a position that you need to hire a personal injury lawyer, please consider reaching out to our attorneys for an initial consultation of your case.